FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2025
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Logan Elizabeth Padgett
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The James Madison Institute Releases New Backgrounder on Impact Fees
TALLAHASSEE— Housing prices across the nation have been steadily climbing for decades. Today, in partnership with researchers from the DeVoe L. Moore Center, The James Madison Institute released a timely new report, “Assessing Florida Local Government Impact Fees: 2024-2025,” which details regulatory challenges facing Floridians who need to construct more homes and have more types of housing.
The study includes an analysis of impact fees, which are payments collected by local governments to offset the costs of new growth, within five counties in Florida — Collier, Lee, Manatee, Sarasota and Sumter. Common uses for impact fees include funding roads, emergency medical services, law enforcement, public parks, and other amenities. These five counties represent very different approaches to designing and implementing impact fees. The JMI study also offers cities and counties guidance on how to better approach and refine fees in order to ease the burden on builders and homeowners.
“Residential development in Florida is subject to a range of government-imposed charges. While these fees are necessary to fund public services and infrastructure, careful fee schedule design is critical. This study shows the various approaches counties are taking in collecting impact fees and suggests areas for policy improvement. Housing policy is not a one-size fits all approach and impact fees should not be either.” — Doug Wheeler, Director of the George Gibbs Center for Economic Prosperity, The James Madison Institute
“Florida has a significant gap between housing unit supply and demand, and the state needs more housing for homeowners and renters. This report also offers Florida cities and counties guidance on how to better approach and refine fees in order to right-size the burdens on builders and homeowners.” — Dr. Samuel Staley, Director, DeVoe Moore Center
Click here to read “Assessing Florida Local Government Impact Fees: 2024-2025.”
For a more in-depth local government review, see the analysis of impact fees in each of the five counties:
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The James Madison Institute is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the ideals of limited government, economic freedom, federalism and individual liberty coupled with individual responsibility. The institute conducts research on such issues as education reform, health care, taxes and regulatory environments.
